Finger release sling holder and sling spear with finger release sling holder

ABSTRACT

A finger release sling holder for a sling spear comprising a sling holder adapted to receive a spear shaft, said sling holder is notched to receive and hold the spear sling when tensioned until it is removed from the sling holder when ready to fire. The sling holder may be attached to the spear shaft in a variety of ways; however, once the sling holder is attached, the sling is placed therein. Now the sling spear is in a cocked position, allowing the user to lightly carry the weapon, making maneuvering through the water easier and more enjoyable. Once the prey is observed, the sling is removed from the holder and the holder is used as a handle improving the fisherman&#39;s ability to hold onto the spear during firing. Releasing grasp of the holder, while retaining the sling, allows the sling to propel the spear through the water towards the target.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Non-Provisional Patent Application is based upon ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/177,869 filed Jan. 24, 2000, and herebyclaims the benefit of the embodiments therein and of the filing datethereof.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention is in the field of fishing, and particularly inthe field of spear fishing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The sling spear, or “Hawaiian Spear”, is a hand-held,sling-propelled spear for underwater fishing. A sling spear has anelastic sling attached at one end of the spear, with a spear pointlocated at the opposite end. To use a sling spear, one must grasp thesling and pull it towards the tip of the spear and, while simultaneouslyholding onto both the spear shaft and the sling, aim and release graspof the spear shaft while maintaining the sling in hand. The spear ispropelled forward through the water by the action of the sling. Thesling spear is simple, relatively easy to operate, easy to maintain, andinexpensive, when compared to the more complex spear gun. Thus, it hasmaintained great popularity among underwater fishermen.

[0004] Under the current state of the art, the sling spear fishermanmust either ready the spear for firing prior to observing the game orafter observing the game. If the spear is readied prior to observing thesame, the fisherman is required to swim about with one hand holding thesling taut against the spear shaft. This makes maneuvering through thewater more difficult and less enjoyable.

[0005] If the spear is readied once the game is observed, the fishermanis required to ready the spear while in the water, a relativelydifficult task under water, which requires time as well as the use ofboth hands. Unfortunately, readying the spear at the last minute oftentimes allows the prey to escape.

[0006] When the sling spear is readied to fire, the fisherman isrequired to hold the sling taut against the smooth spear shaft with hisfiring hand until the sling is released. Because of the liquidenvironment and the smooth spear shaft, the fisherman's firing hand canslip. If the firing hand slips completely, the spear will misfire. If,on the other hand, the firing hand slips only a little, this may havethe affect of either reducing the firing force of the spear or alteringthe aim, and either scenario may result in an unsuccessful shot.

[0007] It would be a great advantage to the sling spear fisherman tohave the spear ready for firing or cocked at all times without alsorequiring the fisherman to hold the sling taut against the spear. Thiswould allow the fisherman the opportunity to lightly carry the armedspear in one hand, while maneuvering through the water and to be able todischarge the weapon quickly and easily once the game is observed.

[0008] It would also be advantageous to provide a handle or some otherdevice for the fisherman to grasp hold of when the spear is ready tofire, thereby virtually eliminating any possibility of having the firinghand slip along the spear shaft.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In light of the state of the art, as described above, theinventor set out to design a safe and reliable device for holding thesling in a ready-to-fire position without also requiring the fishermanto hold the sling taut at the same time. Additionally, that same deviceacts as a handle, which the fisherman can hold onto to reduce the firinghand from slipping.

[0010] The invention has the following features:

[0011] 1. It provides a reliable and safe sling holder, which holds thespear sling in a taut position without requiring the fisherman to holdthe sling.

[0012] 2. It provides a sling holder, which, once the sling is removed,can be used by the fisherman as a handle to grasp, thereby reducing thepossibility of the firing hand slipping along the spear shaft.

[0013] 3. It provides a sling holder, which is inexpensive, easy to useand lightweight.

[0014] 4. It provides a sling holder, which allows the fisherman toaccurately predetermine the amount of force to be applied by the slingspear.

[0015] 5. It provides a sling spear which, when ready to fire, can betransferred from hand to hand or from diver to diver without fear thatthe spear will discharge.

[0016] 6. It provides a sling holder which is transferable and fits ontovirtually any spear.

[0017] Each of these objectives is accomplished in accordance with thisinvention.

[0018] In one illustrated embodiment, a sling holder is affixed to theforward end region of the sling spear by a metal or nylon strap. Themetal or nylon strap has one end attached to the sling holder. The slingholder is secured to the spear shaft by wrapping the loose end of themetal or nylon strap around the spear shaft and connecting the loose endof the metal or nylon strap to the sling holder.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the sling holder is made of one moldedpiece contoured to the shape of the spear shaft and fastened to theshaft by any means.

[0020] In another illustrated embodiment, the sling holder is morereadily transferable from spear to spear by utilizing a hook and pilestrap. This “quick release” embodiment also allows the fisherman theability to quickly and easily move the sling holder forward or rearwardin order to change the firing tension of the sling.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, the sling holder is a flat, unitarybody made of a pliable material, such as metal, plastic, nylon, or acomposite. Once it is determined where the sling holder is to bepositioned along the spear shaft, the sling holder's nylon or metalstrap is folded around the shaft and both ends are attached tothemselves by any fastening means. This embodiment may be in two partsattached to itself by means of hook and pile fasteners for adjustabilityto spear shaft.

[0022] In still another embodiment, a unitary sling spear may bemanufactured having a sling holder.

[0023] In any embodiment, once the holder is rigidly fixed to the spearshaft, it is ready to receive the sling, which is secured in anyconventional manner to the rear end region of the spear. The holder iscontoured to accept the sling spear shaft and the holder is notched toreceive and retain the sling, when tensioned. The sling is pulled towardthe tip end of the spear and is attached to the sling holder at thenotch leaving the spear in a cocked position.

[0024] To fire, simply grasp the sling with the firing hand, whilesimultaneously grasping the spear shaft nearest the spear point with thenon-firing hand, then slip the sling off of the holder with the firinghand. With the firing hand, grasp both the spear shaft and the slingholder, while retaining the sling, then release hold of the spear shaftwith the non-firing hand. The sling spear is now ready to fire and isheld by the firing hand. To complete the firing process, the fishermanaims the spear at the desired target and releases grasp of both thesling holder and spear shaft, while retaining the sling. The spear ispropelled through the water by the sling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] This invention may be more clearly understood with the followingdetailed description and by reference to the drawings in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sling spear with a sling holderattached and the spear depicted is not in a cocked position;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sling spear with a sling holderattached and the sling spear depicted is in a cocked position;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a metal strap embodiment of thesling holder;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a metal strap embodiment ofthe sling holder of FIG. 3;

[0030]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hook and pile strapembodiment sling holder and its components showing the hook and pilestrap, hook and pile strap lock and hook and pile strap lock pin;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a hook and pile strapembodiment of the sling holder of FIG. 5 attached to a sling spear;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a top view of a third embodiment of the invention, aunitary sling holder in a flattened condition;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a side view of the sling holder of FIGS. 9 and 10fixedly attached to a sling shaft;

[0034]FIG. 9 is a top view of the sling holder of FIG. 8 wrapped arounda sling spear shaft;

[0035]FIG. 10, which is comprised of FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e,and 10 f, is a perspective view of how a sling spear, adapted with asling holder, is fired; and

[0036]FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the tri-point spearheadgenerally used by sling spear fishermen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Referring to the drawings in general, and in particular FIG. 1,which illustrates a sling spear holder 10 in accordance with the presentinvention, attached to a conventional sling spear 11, said sling spear11 having a spear shaft 16 with an elastic sling 12 attached to one endof the spear shaft 16, and a spear point 13 located at the opposite endof the spear shaft 16. In many sling spears 11, the spear point 13 isactually comprised of three or more spear points 13, best shown in FIG.11. The sling spear 11, depicted in FIG. 1, is not in a cocked or readyto fire position.

[0038]FIG. 2 also illustrates a conventional sling spear 11 with a slingspear holder 10 attached. The sling spear 11, depicted in FIG. 2, is ina cocked or ready to fire position. The sling 12 in FIG. 2 is extendedand held by the sling holder 10 at its grooved or notched 14 position.

[0039] Because the sling spear shaft 16 is smooth, and the environmentin which the sling spear 11 is used is wet, it can be difficult for theuser to maintain a grip on the sling spear shaft 16 especially whenready to fire. Thus, a secondary benefit of this invention is theability of the user to improve the user's hold of the sling spear 11when ready to fire by using the sling holder 10 as a “handle”. The slingholder 10 is easier to grip than the smooth spear shaft 16 of the slingspear 11.

[0040]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate more details of the sling holder 10. Thesling holder 10 of FIGS. 3 and 4 is designed or molded to provide aconcave surface to conform to the shape 15 of most sling spear shafts 16and may be made from a variety of materials, e.g., aluminum, nylon andplastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrene. The preferredmaterials, however, are nylon, plastic and stainless steel. The slingholder 10 is also designed with a notch 14 for receiving and holding thesling 12. The notch is contoured to have generally rounded edges so asnot to fray the sling 12. Once the sling 12 is placed into the notch 14of the sling holder 10, the sling spear 11 is in a cocked or ready tofire position.

[0041]FIGS. 3 and 4 depict one embodiment of the sling holder 10 whereinthe holder 10 is attached to the sling spear 11 by way of a metal strap20. The first end of said metal strap 20 is rigidly attached to thesling holder 10 by a fastening means, such as screws, machine bolts orrivets, while the second or loose end of said metal strap 20 is tightlywrapped around the sling spear shaft 16 and rigidly attached to thesling holder 10 by a fastening means, such as screws, machine bolts orrivets. In the preferred embodiment, screws 21S are used as the meansfor attaching the metal strap 20 to holder 10.

[0042] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the distance of the point ofattachment of the holder 10 from the point of attachment of the sling 12may be adjusted by the fisherman before use by loosening, for example,screws 21S, sliding the holder 10 along the spear shaft 16, to thedesired position, followed by tightening screws 21S. Moving the holder10 toward the spear point 13 increases the tension of the sling 12 whencocked, and thus the driving force of the spear 11 and, of course,moving the holder 10 toward the rear of the spear 11 reduces the tensionon the sling 12 when cocked, and thus the driving force of the spear 11.Hence, a tertiary benefit of the invention is the ability of the user toaccurately predetermine the desired driving force of the spear 11 whenfired. Such ability may aid in catching a particular type fish.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, which illustrate yet anotherembodiment, a hook and pile strap sling holder 30.

[0044] Turning to FIG. 5, which illustrates the hook and pile strapsling holder 30, with a hook and pile strap 31, a hook and pile straplock 32, and a hook and a pile strap lock pin 33. The hook and pilestrap 31 has a hook and pile fastener 31 p located on the top sideportion and under side portion of the strap 31.

[0045] The hook and pile strap sling holder 30 of FIGS. 5 and 6 issimilar in size and shape to the holder 10 in FIGS. 3-4. The hook andpile strap sling holder 30 of FIGS. 5 and 6 has one end of the hook andpile strap 31 attached to the outside of the top portion of the holder30 by a fastening means, such as screws, rivets, machine bolts, ormolded directly to holder 30. The holder 30 also has an opening 43through it for receiving the hook and pile strap 31. The hook and pilestrap sling holder 30 also has a pin opening 44 for receiving the straplock pin 33. The strap lock pin 33 is used to attach the hook and pilestrap lock 32 to the back of the hook and pile strap sling holder 30.

[0046]FIG. 5 also illustrates the hook and pile strap lock 32, which hasa strap lock opening 40 for receiving the strap 31 and a pair of sidetabs 45, each with a tab opening 41 for receiving the strap lock pin 33for securing the strap lock 32 to the hook and pile strap sling holder30. It is understood that the strap lock 32 may be attached to theholder 30 by other means, such as screws, machine bolts, rivets, and thelike.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, which illustrates the hook and pile strapsling holder 30 attached to a sling spear shaft 16. The hook and pilestrap sling holder 30 is fitted with a strap lock 32, which is placedonto the outside back portion of the hook and pile sling holder 30. Lockpin 33 secures the hook and pile strap lock 32 to the sling holder 30 atpin opening 44. The strap lock 32 pivots about the strap lock pin 33.

[0048] To secure the hook and pile strap sling holder 30 to the slingspear shaft 16, the loose end of the hook and pile strap 31 is placedaround the sling spear shaft 16, through the sling holder opening 43,over the outside of the strap lock 32 through the strap lock opening 40and pulled tight to rigidly fix the sling holder 30 to the spear shaft16. The strap lock 32 locks the strap 31 in place and securely attachesthe hook and pile sling holder to the spear shaft 16. Finally, toeliminate the loose end of the hook and pile strap 31, it is attachedonto itself at the hook and pile surface 31 p, FIG. 6.

[0049] The hook and pile strap embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is used inthe same manner as the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 but has the addedfeature of being readily adjusted in position along a spear shaft 16without the use of tools as the strap holder 30 may be moved from spearto spear merely by:

[0050] 1) loosening the end of strap 31,

[0051] 2) releasing the strap lock 32, and

[0052] 3) removing the holder 30 from one spear,

[0053] 4) placing the holder 30 onto a different sling spear 11,

[0054] 5) wrapping the strap 31 around the spear shaft 16, through thesling holder opening 43 over the strap lock 32, through the strap lockopening 40,

[0055] 6) pulling the strap 31 tight,

[0056] 7) snapping the strap lock 32 closed, then

[0057] 8) fastening the loose end of strap 31 onto itself.

[0058] It is recognized that the sling holder can also be fabricatedfrom a single metal or plastic piece, which is designed in a U-shape andsecured to itself by any fastening means, such as screws, bolts orrivets after it is placed around the spear shaft. Such an embodiment maybe the most economical to manufacture. Such an embodiment is shown inFIG. 9.

[0059] Since the filing of the provisional patent application, applicanthas improved the invention, whereby FIG. 7 illustrates a flat, unitarypiece sling holder 50, which is similar in size and shape to holder 10in FIGS. 3 and 4, and holder 30 in FIGS. 5 and 6. Sling holder 50 may bemade from a variety of materials so long as they are resistant to theliquid environment, strong enough to grasp and maintain the sling 12 ina taut condition, and finally pliable enough to be folded around andconform to the shape of the spear shaft 16. Folding the sling holder 50gives it a U-shape as discussed above. FIG. 7 also illustrates theopenings 51 in holder 50 through which sling holder 50 is fixedlyattached to spear shaft 16. The strap 52 may be of varied lengths toadapt to different diameter spear shafts.

[0060] In another embodiment, FIG. 7 may be made in two parts 80 andconnected to itself by way of a strap 81 or fastened by hook and pile orother means.

[0061]FIG. 8 illustrates the sling holder 50 of FIG. 7 wrapped around aspear shaft 16.

[0062] Turning now to FIG. 9, which illustrates the sling holder 50wrapped around spear shaft 16 and attached to itself at opening 51 byany fastening means, such as screws 60.

[0063] Now referring in general to FIG. 10, and specifically to FIG.10a, which depicts the sling spear 11 with a sling holder 10 in a cockedposition. For the purposes of the demonstration, sling holder 10 will beused; however, sling holders 30 and 50 may be substituted and are usedin exactly the same manner. This allows the fisherman the freedom tomaneuver through the water without having to hold the sling 12 tautagainst the spear shaft 16.

[0064]FIG. 10b depicts the traditional manner in which a “right-handed”sling spear fisherman begins the process of readying the sling spear forfiring. The non-firing hand tightly holds the sling spear shaft 16 in alocation, which will not interfere with the removal of the sling 12 fromthe sling holder 10. With his firing hand, the fisherman places thesling between his thumb and forefinger (FIGS. 10 b and 10 c) and pullsthe sling 12 toward the spear tip a sufficient distance to allow removalof the sling 12 from the slinger holder 10 (FIG. 10d). While the spearshaft 16 is held in the fisherman's non-firing hand, the fishermantightly grasps the slinger holder 10 with either the fingers or thumb ofthe firing hand; and with the balance of his firing hand, the fishermangrasps the spear shaft 16 (FIGS. 10 e and 10 f). Once the sling holder10 and spear shaft 16 are grasped with the firing hand, the non-firinghand can be removed from the spear shaft 16.

[0065] The spear sling holder 10 now acts as a “handle” or “trigger” forthe fisherman (FIGS. 10 e and 10 f), allowing the fisherman to hold ontosomething more than the smooth shaft 16 of the sling spear 11. Now allthat the fisherman must do is to aim the sling spear 11 and release hisgrip of the spear sling holder 10 and spear shaft 16, whilesimultaneously holding onto the sling 12. The sling spear 11 ispropelled through the water by the sling 12.

[0066] The above-described embodiments of the present invention aremerely descriptive of its principles and are not to be consideredlimiting. The scope of the present invention instead shall be determinedfrom the scope of the following claims including their equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A finger release sling holder for use on a sling spearcomprising: a) a member for holding a spear sling; and b) a means forsecurely attaching said member to a sling spear shaft.
 2. A sling holderin accordance with claim 1 wherein the member for holding the spearsling is contoured to receive said sling spear shaft.
 3. A sling holderin accordance with claim 2 wherein the member for holding the spearsling is notched to receive and hold said spear sling.
 4. A sling holderin accordance with claim 2 wherein the means for attaching said memberto said sling spear shaft is a strap having two ends, a first endattached to the outside portion of said member, and said second endtightly wrapped around said sling spear shaft and rigidly attached tothe inside portion of said member.
 5. A sling holder in accordance withclaim 4 wherein the means for attaching said strap to said member is ascrew.
 6. A sling holder in accordance with claim 4 wherein the meansfor attaching said strap to said member is a machine bolt.
 7. A slingholder in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for attaching saidstrap to said member is a rivet.
 8. A sling holder in accordance withclaim 2 wherein the means for attaching said member to said sling spearshaft is a hook and pile strap with hook and pile fasteners, a hook andpile strap lock, and a hook and pile strap lock pin, said hook and pilestrap lock is attached to said member with a hook and pile strap lockpin, said hook and pile strap having a first and a second end, and ameans for attaching said first end to the outside top portion of saidmember, said second end is wrapped tightly around said sling spearshaft, through said member around and through said strap lock, saidstrap lock is pushed against the outside top portion of said member toclose and hold said hook and pile strap in place, and said second end ofsaid hook and pile strap is attached to itself with hook and pilefasteners.
 9. A sling holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidsling holder has a first end and a second end, and said sling holder isattached to said spear shaft by folding the sling holder around saidshaft and attaching said sling holder's first end to said sling holder'ssecond end.
 10. A sling holder in accordance with claim 9 wherein themeans for attaching said sling holder's first end to said sling holder'ssecond end is a nut and screw.
 11. A sling holder in accordance withclaim 9 wherein the means for attaching said sling holder's first end tosaid sling holder's second end is a rivet.
 12. A sling holder inaccordance with claim 9 wherein the means for attaching said slingholder's first end to said sling holder's second end is a nut and bolt.13. A sling holder in accordance with claim 9 wherein said sling holderis made of metal.
 14. A sling holder in accordance with claim 9 whereinsaid sling holder is made of plastic and/or nylon.
 15. A sling holder inaccordance with claim 9 wherein said sling holder is made of a compositematerial.
 16. A sling holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein theholder is made in two parts attached to itself by means of hook and pilefasteners for adjustability to said spear shaft.
 17. A sling spearincluding a spear shaft having two ends, a spear point at one end ofsaid spear shaft and a sling secured to the shaft opposite said spearpoint wherein the improvement, comprises: a) a member for catching andholding said spear sling in a taut condition; and b) a means forsecurely attaching said member to a sling spear shaft.
 18. A slingholder in accordance with claim 17 wherein the member for holding thespear sling is contoured to receive said sling spear shaft.
 19. A slingholder in accordance with claim 18 wherein the member for holding thespear sling is notched to receive said spear sling.
 20. A sling holderin accordance with claim 18 wherein the means for attaching said memberto said sling spear shaft is a strap having two ends, a first endattached to the outside portion of said member, and said second end iswrapped around said sling spear shaft and rigidly attached to the insideportion of said member.
 21. A sling holder in accordance with claim 20wherein the means for attaching said strap to said member is a nut andscrew.
 22. A sling holder in accordance with claim 20 wherein the meansfor attaching said strap to said member is a nut and bolt.
 23. A slingholder in accordance with claim 22 wherein the means for attaching saidstrap to said member is a rivet.
 24. A sling holder in accordance withclaim 18 wherein the means for attaching said member to said sling spearshaft is a hook and pile strap with hook and pile fasteners, a hook andpile strap lock, and a hook and pile strap lock pin, said hook and pilestrap lock is attached to said member with a hook and pile strap lockpin, said hook and pile strap having a first and a second end, and ameans for attaching said first end to the outside top portion of saidmember, said second end is wrapped tightly around said sling spearshaft, through said member around and through said strap lock, saidstrap lock is pushed against the outside top portion of said member toclose and hold said hook and pile strap in place, and said second end ofsaid hook and pile strap is attached to itself with hook and pilefasteners.
 25. A sling holder in accordance with claim 17 wherein saidsling holder has a first end and a second end, and said sling holder isattached to said spear shaft by folding the sling holder around saidshaft and attaching said sling holder's first end to said sling holder'ssecond end.
 26. A sling holder in accordance with claim 24 wherein themeans for attaching said sling holder's first end to said sling holder'ssecond end is a nut and screw.
 27. A sling holder in accordance withclaim 24 wherein the means for attaching said sling holder's first endto said sling holder's second end is a rivet.
 28. A sling holder inaccordance with claim 24 wherein the means for attaching said slingholder's first end to said sling holder's second end is a nut and bolt.29. A sling holder in accordance with claim 24 wherein said sling holderis made of metal.
 30. A sling holder in accordance with claim 24 whereinsaid sling holder is made of plastic and/or nylon.
 31. A sling holder inaccordance with claim 24 wherein said sling holder is made of acomposite material.
 32. A sling holder in accordance with claim 18wherein the holder is made in two parts attached to itself by means ofhook and pile fasteners for adjustability to spear shaft.
 33. A fingerrelease sling holder for a sling spear, comprising: a) a sling spearhaving a shaft with a first and a second end with a spear point securedto said first end, and a sling secured to said second end; b) a slingholder having a concave face for receiving said spear shaft; c) a meansfor rigidly attaching said holder to said sling spear shaft; d) saidsling holder having a notch for receiving and holding said sling.
 34. Asling holder in accordance with claim 33 wherein the means for attachingsaid member to said sling spear shaft is a hook and pile strap with hookand pile fasteners, a hook and pile strap lock, and a hook and pilestrap lock pin, said hook and pile strap lock is attached to said memberwith a hook and pile strap lock pin, said hook and pile strap having afirst and a second end, and a means for attaching said first end to theoutside top portion of said member, said second end is wrapped tightlyaround said sling spear shaft, through said member around and throughsaid strap lock, said strap lock is pushed against the outside topportion of said member to close and hold said hook and pile strap inplace, and said second end of said hook and pile strap is attached toitself with hook and pile fasteners.
 35. A sling holder in accordancewith claim 33 wherein the means for attaching said member to said slingspear shaft is a strap having two ends, a first end attached to theoutside portion of said member, and said second end tightly wrappedaround said sling spear shaft and rigidly attached to the inside portionof said member.
 36. A sling holder in accordance with claim 2 whereinsaid sling holder has a first end and a second end, and said slingholder is attached to said spear shaft by folding the sling holderaround said shaft and attaching said sling holder's first end to saidsling holder's second end.